In one of the biggest upsets of the 2026 Winter Olympics, Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Shaidorov won the gold medal. The gold for Shaidorov was completely unexpected. This was Kazakhstan’s first medal of the Milan-Cortina Games.

Mikhail Shaidorov became Kazakhstan’s first Olympic gold medallist in men’s figure skating after triumphing at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics 2026. View on euronews

Ilia Malinin stumbled under Olympic pressure as underdog Mikhail Shaidorov captured gold in a shocking Olympic men’s figure skating final at Milano-Cortina 2026.

Mikhail Shaidorov of Kazakhstan's gold medal in men's free skate stunned everyone — including himself. Here's what he had to say. (AP photo)

ROME — Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Shaidorov won gold in men’s figure skating at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Italy, delivering a decisive free skate to secure the country’s second Winter Olympic title as an independent nation and first Olympic gold in figure skating. His victory also marked Kazakhstan’s first Olympic gold in figure skating.

Kazakhstan's Mikhail Shaidorov wins Olympic gold in men's figure skating, taking the podium with two Japan skaters after Ilia Malinin meltdown.

Ilia Malinin arrived at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina carrying a weight few athletes ever experience. By the time the Men’s Figure Skating event began, Ilia Malinin wasn’t just a contender – he was the favorite by far.

Brazil danced after winning their first Winter Olympics gold medal while Canada are still trying to win their first.

Mikhail Shaidorov of Kazakhstan achieved a historic Olympic figure skating gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics, stunning the field with a career-best performance. He landed five quadruple jumps to secure the title,

Americans who top the podium at the Milan Cortina Games will be in line for a $37,500 bonus. Their competitors could collect as much as $800,000.

Kazakhstan will host the 2029 Asian Winter Games after Saudi Arabia's withdrawal.